How to Run an Online Therapy Session with Metaphorical Cards (Step‑by‑Step)

Practical guide for therapists using digital tools in online sessions

Online therapy has become a standard part of modern practice — not a temporary workaround, but a fully legitimate therapeutic format. As more therapists move their work online, many are discovering that metaphorical associative cards (MAC) remain just as powerful in digital form as they are in person. In fact, with the right setup, online MAC sessions can be even more flexible, accessible, and therapeutically rich.

If you’re looking for online therapy tools for metaphorical cards, or you want to understand how to integrate digital tools therapists use in online sessions, this guide walks you through everything step‑by‑step.

1. Technical Setup: What Therapist and Client Need

Before diving into the session itself, make sure both sides have a simple, reliable setup. You don’t need anything complicated — but clarity upfront prevents friction later.

For the therapist

• A stable internet connection
• A laptop or desktop (not a phone)
• A platform for digital metaphorical cards (e.g., MindTrays)
• A video‑call platform with screen sharing (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams)
• Headphones or a quiet environment
• Optional: a second monitor for smoother navigation

For the client

• A stable internet connection
• A device with a screen large enough to see the cards clearly
• A quiet, private space
• Basic familiarity with video calls

Optional but helpful

• A notebook for reflections
• A comfortable chair and lighting
• A glass of water (sessions with MAC can be emotionally deep)

Tip for therapists

Send a short “session prep” message before the first online MAC session:

“For our session, please make sure you’re in a private space and can see your screen clearly. We’ll be using metaphorical cards digitally — I’ll share my screen, and you’ll be able to choose cards just like in person.”

This reduces anxiety and sets expectations.

2. How to Share Your Screen or Use Collaborative Access

There are two main ways to run an online MAC session:

Option A: Therapist shares their screen

This is the most common and easiest method.

How it works:

1. Therapist opens the digital deck.
2. Shares the screen with the client.
3. Moves cards based on the client’s instructions (“pull that one”, “flip this one”).

Pros:

• Simple
• Works on any platform
• No tech skills required from the client

Cons:

• Client cannot move cards themselves
• Slightly more passive experience

Option B: Collaborative access (shared control)

Some platforms (like MindTrays) allow both therapist and client to interact with the cards in real time.

How it works:

1. Therapist opens a shared session.
2. Sends the client a link.
3. Both can move, flip, and arrange cards.

Pros:

• Client feels more engaged
• More similar to in‑person work
• Great for parts‑work, spreads, and timelines

Cons:

• Requires a platform that supports collaboration

Which option should you choose?

• For first‑time clients → screen sharing
• For long‑term clients or deeper work → collaborative access

Both methods work beautifully — choose based on the client’s comfort and the session’s goals.

3. Session Protocol: Opening, Working With Cards, Closing

Here is a clear, repeatable structure you can use for any online MAC session.

A. Opening the Session

The goal of the opening is to ground the client and create emotional presence.

Step 1: Check‑in

Ask:

• “How are you arriving today?”
• “What feels most alive for you right now?”

Step 2: Introduce the cards

If it’s the client’s first time:

• Explain that metaphorical cards are not predictive.
• Emphasize that the meaning comes from them, not from you.
• Normalize that there is no “right” interpretation.

Step 3: Set the intention

Examples:

• “What would you like to explore today?”
• “What question do you want to hold as we work with the cards?”

B. Working With the Cards

Below is a simple, universal flow you can use for almost any MAC technique.

Step 1: Spread the cards

Depending on your platform:

• Show all cards face‑up
• Or let the client draw face‑down

Step 2: Invite the client to choose

Examples:

• “Choose a card that reflects how you feel right now.”
• “Choose a card that represents the situation.”
• “Choose a card that feels important, even if you don’t know why.”

Step 3: Explore the image

Ask open questions:

• “What do you notice first?”
• “What emotion does this evoke?”
• “What part of your life does this remind you of?”
• “If this image could speak, what would it say?”

Step 4: Deepen the meaning

Use reflective prompts:

• “What surprises you about this card?”
• “What feels uncomfortable?”
• “What feels true?”

Step 5: Integrate

Ask:

• “What insight are you taking from this image?”
• “How does this relate to your intention for today?”

C. Closing the Session

A good closing helps the client leave grounded and clear.

Step 1: Summarize

Invite the client to summarize in their own words:

• “What are you taking with you from today?”

Step 2: Anchor the insight

Ask:

• “Which part of the image will stay with you?”
• “How can you use this insight during the week?”

Step 3: Emotional regulation

Offer grounding:

• A breath
• A moment of silence
• A body check

Step 4: Practical next steps

If relevant:

• Homework
• Journaling
• A follow‑up card to pull between sessions

4. What to Do If the Client “Doesn’t See Anything” in the Card

This is extremely common — especially with analytical, anxious, or highly rational clients.

Here’s how to handle it gently and effectively.

A. Normalize the experience

Say:

“It’s completely okay not to see anything at first. Let’s explore it together.”

This reduces pressure.

B. Shift the focus from meaning to observation

Ask:

• “What shapes or colors do you notice?”
• “What feels familiar or unfamiliar?”
• “What part of the image draws your attention, even slightly?”

Clients often begin to see meaning once they stop trying to “interpret correctly.”

C. Explore the resistance itself

Sometimes the block is the material.

Ask:

• “What’s it like to look at this image and feel nothing?”
• “What do you wish the card showed instead?”
• “What would you expect to see if you were feeling something?”

This often reveals emotional avoidance, fear, or perfectionism.

D. Offer a choice

If the card truly doesn’t resonate:

• “Would you like to choose another card?”
• “Or would you like me to spread the deck differently?”

Giving agency restores safety.

E. Use the absence of meaning as meaning

Sometimes the client says:

“It’s just blank to me.”

You can ask:

• “Where else in your life does something feel blank or unclear?”
• “What does ‘nothing’ feel like emotionally?”

This often leads to profound insights.

5. Troubleshooting Common Online Challenges

Even with the best tools, online sessions can have friction. Here’s how to handle the most common issues.

A. Client can’t see the cards clearly

Solutions:

• Zoom in
• Switch to collaborative mode
• Ask the client to maximize the window
• Use a deck with larger, simpler images

B. Lag or delay

Solutions:

• Turn off video temporarily
• Close other tabs
• Switch to audio‑only while working with cards

C. Client feels disconnected

Use grounding:

• “Let’s take one breath together before choosing a card.”
• “Notice your body as you look at the image.”

Connection can be created even through a screen.

D. Emotional overwhelm

Always slow down:

• Pause
• Validate
• Offer grounding
• Remind the client they can stop at any time

Digital sessions can be just as deep as in‑person ones — sometimes deeper.

6. Why Digital MAC Tools Work So Well Online

Digital metaphorical cards are not a compromise — they are an expansion of what’s possible.

Benefits:

• Clients can choose cards intuitively
• Therapists can save session layouts
• Work continues between sessions
• No physical decks needed
• Perfect for remote clients
• Easy to integrate into any therapeutic modality

This is why online therapy tools for metaphorical cards are becoming essential in modern practice.

MindTrays Makes This Seamless — Here’s How

MindTrays is designed specifically for online therapy and coaching. It solves every technical challenge described above:

• Beautiful, high‑quality digital decks
• One‑click screen sharing
• Collaborative sessions where clients can move cards themselves
• Automatic session history
• Secure, browser‑based access
• No downloads or setup

Whether you’re new to digital MAC work or already experienced, MindTrays makes online sessions smooth, intuitive, and therapeutically deep.

Try MindTrays — it’s free to start.